Lina Johnson stood in the luxurious conference room, her fingers gripping the neatly printed papers so tightly that the edges crumpled slightly. The room was sleek and modern, designed for high-profile negotiations, with a long, polished ebony table stretching across the center and massive floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of Eldrida's skyline. Normally, she would have appreciated the view, maybe even taken a moment to admire the sheer wealth this place radiated. But not today.
Not when she had to present a deal in front of him.
Daniel Viggo.
The name alone sent chills down her fucking spine. Everyone in Eldrida knew who he was. Ruthless. Heartless. Wicked. A man who built his empire with an iron fist, crushing competitors without so much as a second thought. He wasn't just powerful—he was feared. His reach extended across industries, from pharmaceuticals to luxury goods, and now, to her misfortune, high-end perfumes.
And she? She was about to present a proposal for a perfume collaboration between Aurum Scents and Vega Corporation—one of the many subsidiaries under Blackwood Enterprises, the empire everyone called the umbrella.
The problem wasn't the presentation itself—Lina had prepared all night for this. The problem was that Daniel fucking Viggo was sitting across the table, watching her like she was nothing more than an ant beneath his shoe.
She had always been fearless, confident. But the way he looked at her? Like she was some incompetent idiot who didn't belong in the room? It made her hands shake.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to focus as her boss, Mr. Carter, nodded at her.
"Miss Johnson, you may begin."
Lina stepped forward, her legs feeling stiff as she adjusted the microphone slightly.
"Aurum Scents proposes a strategic collaboration with Vega Corporation to launch a new luxury fragrance line. We believe that with Vega's well-established reputation for exclusivity and our unparalleled influence in the fragrance industry, we can position the perfume to become the most sought-after scent in the market."
She was doing fine. Until she glanced up.
Daniel sat there, perfectly composed, one hand resting lazily on the table while the other adjusted his cufflinks. His expression was unreadable, cold, but his dark eyes locked onto her like a fucking laser, studying every word that left her lips.
Lina swallowed hard and continued.
"We have conducted extensive market research, and the findings indicate that while Vega dominates the pharmaceutical and luxury goods sectors, its previous fragrance releases haven't fully reached their potential. The main issue is brand perception—while Vega is synonymous with prestige, its fragrances are not widely recognized as statement luxury items. That's where we come in."
She clicked to the next slide, displaying graphs and projections.
"Our strategy is simple yet effective: by leveraging Aurum Scents established relationships with elite influencers, high-profile magazines, and global ad campaigns, we can shift the brand's image. The goal is to create an aura of untouchable desirability—a scent so exclusive, so dangerously alluring, that people are willing to do anything to own it."
Lina took a breath, steadying herself.
"We propose launching the fragrance under the name 'Oblivion'—a scent designed for those who want to be remembered even after they leave the room. It's not just a perfume; it's a statement."
For the first time, she saw something flicker in Daniel's eyes—interest, maybe. Or amusement. She wasn't sure, and she wasn't about to fucking ask.
She clicked to the final slide.
"With Vega's access to the finest ingredients and Aurum Scents aggressive branding, we predict a 70% increase in demand within the first quarter of launch. Our projected revenue within the first six months stands at 500 million dollars, with exponential growth as exclusivity heightens."
She was done.
Lina exhaled slowly, forcing herself to remain still as silence filled the room.
The executives murmured among themselves, exchanging glances, but it was Daniel's reaction that mattered most.
He said nothing. Just sat there, staring at her like he was debating whether she was worth his time.
Then, after what felt like an eternity, he leaned forward.
"Tell me something, Miss Johnson." His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it that sent a shiver down her spine. "Are you just reading from a well-rehearsed script, or do you actually understand what you're selling to me?"
Lina's stomach dropped.
She knew this moment was coming, yet it still felt like a punch to the gut.
She refused to let him intimidate her.
"I understand the proposal," she said, lifting her chin. "I helped develop it."
Daniel raised an eyebrow, as if challenging her. "Then explain it to me. No slides. No paper. Just you."
Fucking hell.
She clenched her jaw, setting her papers down. Fine.
"'Oblivion' isn't just another perfume—it's a lifestyle. The fragrance industry is saturated, but luxury scents aren't just about the smell; they're about exclusivity. Vega already has a reputation for being untouchable, and that's exactly what we need to capitalize on. We create scarcity, release limited batches, and let the desperation for the product build itself. We don't sell a scent—we sell a feeling. The need to be desired. To be wanted. To be unforgettable."
Silence.
For the first time, a hint of something almost resembling approval crossed Daniel's face.
"Better," he muttered.
That single fucking word felt like a victory.
The discussion moved on, the executives debating numbers, projections, and launch strategies. Lina barely processed half of it—her mind was still reeling from the fact that she had actually survived being put on the spot by Daniel Viggo.
After what felt like hours, the deal was finalized. Vega corperation would collaborate with Aurum Scents. The launch of 'Oblivion' was officially in motion.
Lina let out a shaky breath as people began packing up their things. She had done it. She had fucking done it.
She was ready to get the hell out of there when—
"Miss Johnson."
Her entire body froze.
Slowly, she turned back.
Daniel was still seated, his gaze fixed on her. "You'll be working on the next phase of this project."
Lina blinked. "What?"
"I want weekly updates." His tone left no room for negotiation.
No fucking way.
She had barely made it through one meeting with this man, and now he expected her to keep dealing with him?
Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Daniel didn't wait for a response. He simply stood, adjusted his cufflinks, and walked out, leaving her standing there, speechless.
Lina exhaled sharply.
So much for never dealing with Daniel Viggo again.
She had just signed up for a fucking nightmare.